Share the Season is an annual campaign that offers one-time aid to people affected by unforeseen hardships. The people are not identified to protect their privacy.

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When her youngest son was scheduled for surgery, the 24-year-old mother arranged her work schedule so she wouldn’t lose any hours.

The little boy had a cyst removed from his shoulder shortly after he turned 3 months old.

Then the incision became infected, and the mother’s one day off work became a two-week leave of absence.

The baby became sick and fussy, and the young mother was unable to leave him at day care.

She lost the equivalent of a paycheck by not working those two weeks.

“I have borrowed money from relatives to help get through today and am struggling,” she wrote in her application to Share the Season.

But the money she borrowed wasn’t enough. She faces a $244 electric bill, a $75 gas bill and a $63 bill for the tag on her car.

Her four children are all under the age of 5.

“It’s hard to keep a smile for the children knowing that the electric may be shut off next month. . . . I feel like I’m so far behind that it’s impossible to get caught back up with everything. Money is tight as it is and losing a paycheck hurts us.”

Send contributions to Share the Season at the Wichita Community Foundation, 301 N. Main, Suite 100, Wichita, KS 67202.

To donate online, go to www.sharetheseason.org. Donors will be listed in The Eagle; please note if you prefer to remain anonymous.